Beef producers get government help following China ban

The Canadian government will give $8.3 million to help the beef industry develop international markets. This comes after China banned Canadian meat products in what is considered to be retaliation for Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou upon the request of the United States. Meng is out on bail in Vancouver pending a court hearing on her extradition to the U.S. to face fraud charges.

Canada’s beef industry contributes $33 billion worth of sales of goods and services either directly or indirectly to the economy, says government. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

China was Canada’s fifth-largest beef customer

In the first four months of 2019, Canada exported 7.66 million kg of beef worth $63.6 million to China, according to government statistics. China ranks fifth in customers for Canadian beef behind the U.S., Japan, Hong Kong and Mexico. China accounted for about six per cent of all Canadian meat exports.